Is it worth paying for the drink package on their cruises? We don't drink a lot. At most, probably 2-3 mixed drinks, wine, or beer a day x 2 for my wife and myself. Have 2 kids that would probably like some sodas since they don't get them at home.

We don't drink so we weren't interested in the cruise drink packages. That said there is a lot of drinking on cruises, it sort of annoyed me the first couple of days on my first cruise but I got over that. If you're thinking 2 - 3 drinks a day (likely more, what else is there to do in the evenings) than the package might work out well for you. There's a lot of socializing over drinks on cruises, that's just the way it is.

When we went on our royal Caribbean cruise recently we got a few of the kids the juice package. My wife a soda package. I got no package, along with my oldest son. It worked out. Couldn't drink enough alcohol to justify that cost.

Is it worth paying for the drink package on their cruises? We don't drink a lot. At most, probably 2-3 mixed drinks, wine, or beer a day x 2 for my wife and myself. Have 2 kids that would probably like some sodas since they don't get them at home.

Not sure if Royal's drink package is the same as Celebrity, (likely is since it's the same parent company). We've sailed several times on Celebrity and theirs includes unlimited bottled water and specialty coffees and teas (like espresso, cappuccino, lattes, etc.) both hot and chilled.

So if you drink either, you'll get more value beyond cocktails, wine and beer. We grab at least 2 bottles of water to take with us when we leave the ship at every port, plus at least a couple more when we use the gym on several days during the cruise. We order double espressos before working out and decaf versions after dinner.

It still may not be worth it for you, but just thought I'd mention those added benefits.

I've gotten it multiple times and it was well worth it. In your case, it will probably be close to break even. Are you both soda drinkers? If so, it includes the soda package and would then be worth it.

Not sure if Royal's drink package is the same as Celebrity, (likely is since it's the same parent company). We've sailed several times on Celebrity and theirs includes unlimited bottled water and specialty coffees and teas (like espresso, cappuccino, lattes, etc.) both hot and chilled.

So if you drink either, you'll get more value beyond cocktails, wine and beer. We grab at least 2 bottles of water to take with us when we leave the ship at every port, plus at least a couple more when we use the gym on several days during the cruise. We order double espressos before working out and decaf versions after dinner.

It still may not be worth it for you, but just thought I'd mention those added benefits.

We just got home from a Celebrity cruise. I've been on RC a couple of times too, but can't remember the drink package or how it may be different. I think BogleFanGal is right that it is probably similar, since both RC and Celebrity under the same parent company.

The "middle" package was the minimum required for the specialty coffee drinks. It had OK wine and spirits, but not the best. The "Premium" package was $65/day per person, and the middle package was $55/day (add 18% mandatory gratuity to each). Add that up and the middle package would have been about $900 for the wife and I, and they actually are a little strict: You can't get a premium package for you and nothing for your spouse and expect to just get the drinks for both of you on your package. Anyway, we decided we don't drink nearly enough, so we just did a pay-as-you-go. Glad we did.

Is it worth paying for the drink package on their cruises? We don't drink a lot. At most, probably 2-3 mixed drinks, wine, or beer a day x 2 for my wife and myself. Have 2 kids that would probably like some sodas since they don't get them at home.

Last time I booked a cruise, I did it through Costco. It was cheaper than on the cruise operator's site and they threw in the drink package and a cash card.

Just returned from a 7 day RC cruise where we purchased the drink package for the first time. We aren't big drinkers, but it worked out well for us. Some of our key decision makers were:
-We bought the package early online with a 30% discount.
-We had three at sea days, one day on their private beach (Where the drink package works)
-We weren't taking kids with us and didn't really plan to do much other than relax.

5 drinks a day is about break even. However it was really nice to get bottled water and sodas and specialty coffee's. We probably drank 25 bottles of water or more, which was a nice bonus. Middle of the road mixed drinks are $10-$13 each, Beers around $8ish, Wine $9-+++. I know the cost seems big, but when you look at the prices on the boat, it can be worth it in some situations.

We don't buy the drink package because we don't want to overdo the drinking. If I bought it, by gosh, I'd get my money's worth!

Buying a few beers a day, and a split of wine at dinner for 2 seemed like enough. Brought our own refillable water bottles. There's plenty of good water and ice available in the cafeteria. Not buying the package was more a lifestyle decision than a money one.

We have sailed RC and recently did Norwegian. First time on Norweigan we had the drink package. Second time we booked ourselves in the Haven so it was included.

For us, it's worth it. I like not having to keep track of what I'm drinking and worrying about cost. A mimosa in the morning, mojito or two during the day, maybe a beer at lunch, glass of wine or champagne at dinner, perhaps an Irish coffee after.

Plus, we can sample drinks we never had.

We are sailing Disney this year for the first time so no drink packages like the other cruises. We said we'd do it once as our kids are the right age for it.

We went on a Carnival cruise last summer. We are not big drinkers, either...but I think it worked out well for us.

Glass of wine at dinner, 2 or 3 frozen drinks by the pool, meet friends at the bar before dinner, visit the casino after dinner or go to a comedy show....all of a sudden, you've had 5 or 6 drinks in a day.

We only went on a 3 day cruise, so the prices were fine overall all.

The one thing I did notice....on day 1 and 2, we would drink more than the last day. I saw that across all our friends too.

We purchased it for the cruise we're taking this summer. Watch for sales--standard rates appear to be $55/day for the premium alcohol package, $26/day for the non-alcoholic one, and $8.50/day for the soda package. We waited to buy until they went on sale for a few days, and paid $47 for the adults and $18 for my son.

Obviously I won't know until we're there if it was worth it, but I expect it will be, and here are a few reasons:

-Covers any drink up to $13, and a $13 discount on anything more expensive than that. One of my wife's favorite wines is $17, so we'll wind up paying $4/glass when she gets that. I'll probably have some scotch here and there that will be over the limit as well, so we'll be using the maximum benefit on many orders.
-Bottled water is included. This will be handy for taking back to the room, or on shore days
-Premium coffee and tea. We'll drink a lot of this, so not having to pay by the cup will be nice
-Ability to try new cocktails risk-free. If we don't like something, order something else instead
-40% discount on bottled wine under $100 (20% over $100). We might use this at dinner, or for a bottle to take back to the room and enjoy on the balcony

So we expect our breakeven to be at about 3 drinks/day, plus the water/soda/coffee/tea benefit. I suspect we'll have a good bit more than that, so we should come out way ahead vs. going ala carte.

I have not taken a cruise. The drinks are one of the reasons. Kind of outrageous, these drink packages. The drink prices themselves are airport bar drinks prices, not even typical of around town bars. The only reason a drink package seems like a good idea is due to overpricing of the drinks themselves. So you figure how much you will drink to be even based on higher prices anyway. And to think that "drinks" include coffees, sodas. All around the cruise line is making big buck on these drinks. This is why they can do deals on the rooms. Plus the mandatory tip. Oxymoron there.

I have not taken a cruise. The drinks are one of the reasons. Kind of outrageous, these drink packages. The drink prices themselves are airport bar drinks prices, not even typical of around town bars. The only reason a drink package seems like a good idea is due to overpricing of the drinks themselves. So you figure how much you will drink to be even based on higher prices anyway. And to think that "drinks" include coffees, sodas. All around the cruise line is making big buck on these drinks. This is why they can do deals on the rooms. Plus the mandatory tip. Oxymoron there.

The drink prices on the cruises we’ve been on are about the same as in our local moderately priced sit-down restaurants (although the refills in sodas aren’t free on the ships).

So I suppose how you feel about the cruise prices depends on what you are used to.

For only a couple of drinks a day its typically not worth it and the last thing you need is the knowledge that you bought a "drink package" and are trying to get your money worth to incent you to drink more than you normally would (and to incent your kids to drink more soda per day than they should).

Last cruise we want on included water, coffee, tea AND iced-tea all for free without the drink package - and luckily - my favorite non-alcoholic drink is iced tea. We bought a couple of drinks each or a single bottle of wine a day in the evening which was cheaper than the price of the "drink package" probably by 50%).

Last cruise we want on included water, coffee, tea AND iced-tea all for free without the drink package - and luckily - my favorite non-alcoholic drink is iced tea. We bought a couple of drinks each or a single bottle of wine a day in the evening which was cheaper than the price of the "drink package" probably by 50%).

Seems like if you are okay with powdered iced tea then you could take packets of that to mix into glasses of ice water. I like the powdered sugar-free Arnold Palmer drink mixes but not the plain or fruity tea ones. Of course, if iced tea is included, there is no need to do so.

Is it worth paying for the drink package on their cruises? We don't drink a lot. At most, probably 2-3 mixed drinks, wine, or beer a day x 2 for my wife and myself. Have 2 kids that would probably like some sodas since they don't get them at home.

Remember you are on a ship, so perhaps a mimosa around the pool late in the morning, a beer or two at lunch, a couple cocktails at sunset happy hour, wine at dinner and maybe a scotch to wrap things. It adds up. You're on vacation!

I have not taken a cruise. The drinks are one of the reasons. Kind of outrageous, these drink packages. The drink prices themselves are airport bar drinks prices, not even typical of around town bars. The only reason a drink package seems like a good idea is due to overpricing of the drinks themselves. So you figure how much you will drink to be even based on higher prices anyway. And to think that "drinks" include coffees, sodas. All around the cruise line is making big buck on these drinks. This is why they can do deals on the rooms. Plus the mandatory tip. Oxymoron there.

With respect, unless you have first hand experience with this type of vacation your input on why the package is outrageous is not a valid data point.

Not true. I do not have to experience the cruise. I saw the numbers posted. $55 day per person for the Celebrity cruise drink package. I think I can make an informed judgement on that data point. Also stated that was $900 for a week for two.
To me that is not worth it. $900 a week for liquor sounds outrageous to me and probably many BHs.
Experience in cruises has nothing to do with evaluating the numbers and forming an opinion.

On our last cruise we met at least 2 people who told us they were "not drinking enough" to get their money's worth. One said that they needed to have 5-6 drinks a day to pay off.

Doesn't seem like a great motivation...

5 may sounds like a lot. But that is two by the pool during the day, a glass of wine or two at dinner and drink during the show. Not to mention if you like to have a drink before dinner, after the show, etc. If you spend a lot of time in port, the package becomes less valuable.

Note that on my last cruise, we got around $20 of bottled water per day. The larger bottle left in the room (this was on Celebrity) was $6 per bottle. We took them with us into port. I suppose we could have bought them locally for less money.

You should be able to find a list of drink prices online and do your own calculation. Remember people tend drink more on vacation than at home. Include goumet coffees and soft drinks if you drink those.

Last time I booked a cruise, I did it through Costco. It was cheaper than on the cruise operator's site and they threw in the drink package and a cash card.

Yup - both our packages were always included as part of the cabin cost we paid. Celebrity's pricing model is more towards an all-inclusive feel. Higher cabin prices, but with choices of perks like drink pkg, onboard spend, unlimited internet, etc. So if you use that stuff, it often is a pretty good deal. Then booking through the right travel agent adds more onboard spend or perks.

While obviously nothing is truly "free", when part of cabin rate, you can get those perks at a deeply discounted price vs buying separately.

I have never seen Royal offer a drink package as a perk though. I guess someone's gotta pay for all those cool waterslides, ice rinks and coasters!

I have not taken a cruise. The drinks are one of the reasons. Kind of outrageous, these drink packages. The drink prices themselves are airport bar drinks prices, not even typical of around town bars. The only reason a drink package seems like a good idea is due to overpricing of the drinks themselves. So you figure how much you will drink to be even based on higher prices anyway. And to think that "drinks" include coffees, sodas. All around the cruise line is making big buck on these drinks. This is why they can do deals on the rooms. Plus the mandatory tip. Oxymoron there.

You must live in an LCOL...where i live, it averages $12-15 for a cocktail and at least $11+ for a decent (not expensive) glass of wine.

I'm a true BH when it comes to saving and thinking before I buy - I actually overthink everything and hate wasting money. But there's something so decadent and lovely on vacation about ordering drinks, specialty coffees, grabbing bottled water with no bar bill at the end of the voyage. It's fun to try different things. We love it.

beverage package - includes all of the above plus beverages with alcohol

Drink packages are not sharable (so no, you can't give your kids a couple of sodas a day using your package), and for the full beverage package all adults in a cabin must purchase. If for some reason one of the adults must abstain from alcohol, they are required to purchase the non-alcoholic beverage package. This is a recent change and it was due to all the people trying to share their packages with others.

So, you need to consider the non-alcoholic beverages you may consume during the cruise in addition to the alcoholic drinks to determine if it would be worthwhile.

I go for the non-alcoholic package myself for the soda, specialty coffee and OJ. But I've been on enough Royal Caribbean cruises that i can get my free alcoholic drinks each evening.

beverage package - includes all of the above plus beverages with alcohol

Drink packages are not sharable (so no, you can't give your kids a couple of sodas a day using your package), and for the full beverage package all adults in a cabin must purchase. If for some reason one of the adults must abstain from alcohol, they are required to purchase the non-alcoholic beverage package. This is a recent change and it was due to all the people trying to share their packages with others.

So, you need to consider the non-alcoholic beverages you may consume during the cruise in addition to the alcoholic drinks to determine if it would be worthwhile.

I go for the non-alcoholic package myself for the soda, specialty coffee and OJ. But I've been on enough Royal Caribbean cruises that i can get my free alcoholic drinks each evening.

It varies by cruise line; there can be other options. Some have a package for premium wine/alcohol, for instance.

If you don't purchase any type of drink package, what complimentary beverages are available, if any?
Room temperature toilet water?

I'm stunned that you can't even get orange juice at breakfast without paying extra.

You can't get fresh squeezed orange juice without paying extra.

Available beverages include water, flavored waters, iced tea, coffee, milk, chocolate milk, and reconstituted juices including orange, apple and tomato. Some are only available during breakfast hours. Most people find the ship water fine, but some people have reported health issues because it is desalinated.

I find the free orange juice to be terrible, however most people I've talked to seem to think that's what orange juice is supposed to taste like. But then I grew up in Florida where we had an abundance of the fresh squeezed never pasteurized, never from concentrate OJ. And that's still the only way I'll drink it.

I did a Royal Caribbean cruise back last year and bought the alcohol drink package. It was definitely worth it for me and my family, as we like to drink a lot (we are Puerto Rican )

I remember calculating the cost of drinks per day/week and we came out ahead several hundred dollars compared to not purchasing the drink package. I think its worth it if you plan to drink quite a bit during the cruise. If you only do 1-2 drinks per day then its probably not worth it in your case.

Interesting comments. There are all kinds of threads about spending on first class air travel, very expensive cars, exotic vacations, hobbies, etc. Usually people say if you can afford it and enjoy it, do it. It seems some people that don't enjoy drinking cannot fathom someone else enjoying it on vacation no less.

One thing I'll add is the drink packages seems very expensive because you are paying for it all at once. Assuming you'll use it enough, I was sort of glad to pay before I got on the ship and not have to think about it the whole vacation. Otherwise, especially if you are a Boglehead, you might be thinking every time you want a drink "do I really want to spend $10 for a drink now?" I bought it, forgot about the cost, and enjoyed myself. Of course, I didn't go crazy because it was already paid for.

One thing I'll add is the drink packages seems very expensive because you are paying for it all at once. Assuming you'll use it enough, I was sort of glad to pay before I got on the ship and not have to think about it the whole vacation. Otherwise, especially if you are a Boglehead, you might be thinking every time you want a drink "do I really want to spend $10 for a drink now?" I bought it, forgot about the cost, and enjoyed myself. Of course, I didn't go crazy because it was already paid for.

There are two kinds of people when it comes to the drink packages:

1) The set it and forget it types who buy it and just enjoy not having to think about every drink purchase. They are just happy because they won't be thinking about the looming bar bill at the end of the cruise
2) The people who spend the entire cruise trying to get their money's worth. They either end up drinking way too much or are tracking their drinks to make sure they got their money's worth.

One thing I'll add is the drink packages seems very expensive because you are paying for it all at once. Assuming you'll use it enough, I was sort of glad to pay before I got on the ship and not have to think about it the whole vacation. Otherwise, especially if you are a Boglehead, you might be thinking every time you want a drink "do I really want to spend $10 for a drink now?" I bought it, forgot about the cost, and enjoyed myself. Of course, I didn't go crazy because it was already paid for.

There are two kinds of people when it comes to the drink packages:

1) The set it and forget it types who buy it and just enjoy not having to think about every drink purchase. They are just happy because they won't be thinking about the looming bar bill at the end of the cruise
2) The people who spend the entire cruise trying to get their money's worth. They either end up drinking way too much or are tracking their drinks to make sure they got their money's worth.

True. But if you enjoy fresh squeezed juices, bottled water, specialty coffees, soft drinks, wine, cocktails and martinis, you don't have to be bombed to get your money's worth. If you like getting bombed all the time, then you know what is going to happen.

I know the OP asked about RC, but I will tell you on my last Celebrity cruise (last Dec) we purchased one drink package (which is allowed). It was a fluke due to a problem with their system (I bought one and then due to an issue couldn't buy the 2nd pre-cruise). We tipped heavily the first day (and ongoing too). We only paid for 2 drinks the entire cruise (besides the 1 package). They always ran both drinks through the card with the package (we presented both room cards and didn't pretend to order one drink and then another). We did not ask them to do so. And this was probably 5 different bartenders. We sat with a couple that employed a similar strategy of tipping heavily with no drink package. It is not different than on land- people want tips.

This is an interesting question. We might take a cruise one day.
I prefer beer, but am OK with vodka and fruit (orange or grapefruit preferred) juice. Shots would be fine. Wife likes tea (herbal) and lime coke.
I was thinking we'd smuggle on a couple bottles of vodka, and a box of tea bags.
Is this not a good idea? Do they search luggage?
Always tip

This is an interesting question. We might take a cruise one day.
I prefer beer, but am OK with vodka and fruit (orange or grapefruit preferred) juice. Shots would be fine. Wife likes tea (herbal) and lime coke.
I was thinking we'd smuggle on a couple bottles of vodka, and a box of tea bags.
Is this not a good idea? Do they search luggage?
Always tip

If you go to CruiseCritic.com, they cover this very extensively. They do X-ray luggage coming on board. There are things called rum runners (available on Amazon and elsewhere) that are made of flexible plastic (think IV bag) and generally go undetected by the X-ray machines. But then you have to think about mixers.....juices are generally only available at breakfast from what I've seen.